Diverta Alma Dykstra

Diverta Alma Dykstra: Diverta passed away Monday afternoon at Crystal Heights Nursing Home in Oskaloosa at the age of 90 years, 1 month and 1 day. Diverta's family includes her daughter, Janice Utterback (Howard) Sears of Leon; a son, Roger Dykstra of Londonderry, N.H.; a daughter, Peggy (John) Kirk of West Des Moines; a daughter, Nora (John) Mosher of Des Moines; and a son Mike (Anna) Dykstra of Pella. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren?Jacque (Utterback) Ronnfeldt, Jon Utterback, James Utterback, Mark Dykstra, Trey Dykstra, Katherine (Kirk) Roccasecca, Jim Kirk, Joshua Mosher, Erika (Mosher) Schippers, Leah Dykstra, Stephen Dykstra, Julia Dykstra, and Thomas Dykstra; twelve great-grandchildren?Justin Ronnfeldt, Tyler Ronnfeldt, Matthew Ronnfeldt, Lauren Ronnfeldt, Jack Utterback, Ryan Utterback, Megan Utterback, Beau Dykstra, Garrett Dykstra, Ruby Dykstra, Joey Dykstra and Zoe Roccasecca; and a brother, Reuben (Margery) Van Hemert of Pella. Diverta Alma Dykstra, daughter of Marce C. and Nellie Weyers Van Hemert was born July 24, 1918 at the home of her parents near Otley, Iowa in Marion County. She attended country school near Otley. January 1, 1937, Diverta was united in marriage to Edward Dykstra at her parent's home, only a mile from the Dykstra farmstead. They initially made their home on the farmstead, but moved to their own farm southeast of Oskaloosa in 1941. Diverta and Ed farmed there for many years and continued to live on the farm far past their retirement, moving into Oskaloosa in 1993. Diverta was a member of St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ and its Women's Association, Silver Cross Chapter of King's Daughters, Mahaska Hospital Auxiliary, where she volunteered in the snack bar and Mahaska County Farm Bureau Harrison Homemakers. Diverta's family and church were her life's delight; she enjoyed entertaining friends and family and also enjoyed embroidery. Besides her parents, Diverta was preceded in death by her husband, Ed on April 5, 2004; a sister, Ruby Van Hemert, a son-in-law, Jack Utterback and a daughter-in-law, Marjorie Dykstra. PDF Printable Version

Diverta Alma Dykstra

July 24, 1918 - August 25, 2008